Ferris State University head football
coach Tony Annese completed
his coaching staff when he announced the hiring of a Bulldog alum
and former professional football coach
in Charles "Sparky" McEwen prior to
the 2012 campaign. He'll embark on his third season as a
Bulldog assistant coach in 2014.

McEwen, who played for the Bulldogs from 1987-90, spent more
than a decade as a professional football coach in the Arena
Football League with both the Grand Rapids Ramapge and the Oklahoma
City Yard Dawgz. He coaches the wide receivers at Ferris
State and is also involved in alumni relations aspects of the
program.

"We're excited to announce the hiring of a former Bulldog
and someone of his caliber in Sparky McEwen," Annese said.
"He's a guy who really has some great connections and ties to
Ferris State University and has had success at all levels. We
believe he'll be a great fit as we continue to elevate our
program."

At the professional level, McEwen most recently coached the
Oklahoma City Yard Dawgz for three seasons prior to the franchise's
departure from the AFL prior to the 2011 campaign.

McEwen began his arena football career as a quarterback with
the now-defunct Grand Rapids Rampage in 1998 and first served as
the team's offensive assistant and scout in 2000. He was the
offensive coordinator from 2001-03 before originally becoming
assistant head coach and offensive coordinator in Oklahoma City in
2004.

The Bulldog product returned to Grand Rapids as head coach
and director of football operations of the Rampage for three
seasons (2005-08) before going back to Okalahoma City as the head
coach and president of football operations for his final three
seasons of indoor football, which included two as an arenafootball2
franchise and the final year in the AFL.

McEwen was the Rampage's offensive coordinator during the
program's three best seasons from 2001-03, which included winning
ArenaBowl XV in 2001. Under his direction, the Rampage's
offense scored more points than any other team in the Arena
Football League and gained more yards than any other over the
three-year span.

McEwen also served as a successful prep football head coach
in Grand Rapids at Creston High School from 1996-2003.

A Bulldog alum, McEwen played football at Ferris State from
1986-90, but was redshirted for the 1987 campaign. He quarterbacked
the Bulldogs for two seasons (1988-89) and was switched to wide
receiver for his senior year in 1990. He currently ranks 14th among
the school's all-time passing leaders with 2,183 career yards and
17 TD's on 155-of-297 attempts (52.2% completion pct.). McEwen's
best season was in 1988 when he threw for 1,386 yards and nine TD's
while completing 49.8% of his aerial attempts (100-201). As a
senior, he had 18 receptions for 259 yards and one TD. McEwen also
ranks 17th in Bulldog history in total offense as he compiled 2,298
yards in his collegiate career.

"The opportunity to get back involved with young
student-athletes is something I have thought about for
years," McEwen said. "I'm excited about working for the
university where I started my career many years
ago.

"After speaking with Perk Weisenburger and Coach Annese
about their goals for the program, it was very apparent that
high degrees of success will be the expectation. Tony is a
relentless worker who has a great sense for success and high level
of committment to detail, and it's those things that will
continue the great tradition of Ferris State Football," he
added.

While a collegiate player at Ferris State, McEwen played
seven different positions, including quarterback, receiver, corner,
safety, kick return, punt return and special
teams. As a quarterback in the Rampage's
inaugural 1998 campaign, McEwen appeared in five games and had a
2-1 record as a starting quarterback with 477 passing yards, four
passing touchdowns and six rushing scores.

Sparky has three children, Charles, A.J. and Ja'nae.
His son, A.J., plays football for the Bulldogs and will be a
senior in 2014.